Paul hems an’ haws, but he sees as how he has to make good on his word. So he takes the little bitty seed an’ pushes it down in the ground with the tip o’ one fingernail. He pats the soil around it real nice, like he seen Johnny do. Then he sits down to wait as the sun sets.

“I’m not as fast as you at this,” Paul says, “but you’ve had more practice. An’ I’m sure my tree will be just as good as any o’ yours.”